Serhou Guirassy Opens Up About Chasing Haaland's Shadow and Shattering Champions League Records
Not many football clubs have mastered the art of developing strikers like Borussia Dortmund has.
Ever since Robert Lewandowski exploded onto the scene during the 2011–12 campaign, BVB has become home to an impressive roster of prolific goalscorers. The Polish forward found the net 103 times in 187 appearances before being succeeded by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Erling Haaland. Players like Paco Alcácer, Niclas Füllkrug, and even loan signing Michy Batshuayi have all flourished at Signal Iduna Park.
The newest chapter in this remarkable tradition belongs to Serhou Guirassy. Acquired from Rennes for a reasonable €18 million ($20.7 million) last summer, the Guinea striker quickly continued the legacy established by his predecessors, scoring 34 goals in all competitions during his first campaign.
Wearing the iconic No. 9 jersey previously donned by Lewandowski and Haaland, Guirassy acknowledges that living up to the standards set by these legends was a challenge he eagerly embraced upon his arrival.
"It's undeniable that Dortmund has been home to exceptional strikers," he shares with Sports Illustrated. "When I first joined, I must admit the No. 9 wasn't immediately available. I had to accept a temporary number initially.
"However, once the opportunity arose to claim it, I seized it without hesitation. Despite the weight of expectation that comes with the No. 9, I believe I'm handling it quite well."
Guirassy dismisses any notion of mystical properties surrounding Dortmund's prestigious No. 9 jersey, instead praising the personnel responsible for maintaining the club's remarkable streak of discovering exceptional strikers.
"I believe the scouting department is... exceptional!" he chuckles. "Seriously though, it's well-known that Dortmund consistently attracts outstanding strikers.
"That said, I'm aware of the significant legacy here, including Aubameyang and more recently Erling. So yes, it represented a considerable challenge, but I'm ready for it. When Dortmund presented the opportunity to sign me, I had no reservations whatsoever."
Guirassy more than validated his transfer fee during his inaugural season with the club. He joined an exclusive group as only the third Dortmund player to score 10 goals in a single Champions League campaign, but surpassed both Lewandowski and Haaland by setting the club's single-season record for goals in the competition.
With 13 goals, Guirassy emerged as the Champions League's top scorer last season—a distinction he shares with Barcelona's Raphinha, his former Rennes teammate.
"I don't believe being a striker is something you can be taught," he reflects on his natural scoring ability. "During my youth, I played as a defender and midfielder. I think it stems more from desire. Once you develop an appetite for finding the net, game after game, week after week, month after month, you strive to maintain those high standards.
"Scoring goals creates an extraordinary sensation, particularly at Dortmund. Given the stadium atmosphere we experience, it's truly remarkable.
"Even as a child, I was consistently scoring goals. That's what I aim to replicate at the elite level, and it's proving successful. I'm optimistic this trend will persist."